Collapsible ladder arrangement

ABSTRACT

A collapsible ladder arrangement characterized by the use of spring-urged clip members on each ladder section for accomplishing the assembly of one ladder section with the next ladder section in expanding the ladder from a collapsed position.

United States Patent Neal et al. [451 Apr. 4, 1972 s41 COLLAPSIBLE LADDER 1,329,740 2/1920 Barron ..1s2/205 ARRANGEMENT 1,733,338 10/1929 Enke ..l82/204 [72] inventors: Vernon L. Neal, Ballwin, Mo.; Jerry D.

Conyer, Paducah' Primary Examiner-Reinaldo P. Machado [73] Assignee: E. T. Hannan & Associates, Inc., Paducah, Attorney-warren Flackben Ky. a part interest [22] Filed: June 22, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT 21 Appl. No.: 48,016

A collapsible ladder arrangement characterized by the use of spring-urged clip members on each ladder section for accom- [52] US. Cl ..l82/l95 phshihg the assembly f one ladder Section with the next [5 Int. Cl l nE06C ladder e tion in ex anding the ladder from a collapsed posi. [58] Field of Search ..182/195, 204,205,209 tioh [56] References Cited 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,179,391 4/1916 Bachman ..182/204 ,1 ["1 0 Fi //I /2 b I26! r Patented April 4, 1972 3,653,463

2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS FIE. Vafmvau 1. M541.

BY Z/M 3 ATTORNEY Patented April 4, 1972 3,653,463

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Valium/v z Ive/u.

Jewr a. Course ATTORNEY COLLAPSIBLE LADDER ARRANGEMENT As is known, a collapsible ladder presents many advantages, including ease in transporting and storage, and if made from lightweight metal material, such as aluminum, extra durability. A collapsible ladder of such type is described and claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,451,506, entitled COLLAPSIBLE LADDER, which issued on June 24, I969 to Vernon L. Neal, one of the joint inventors herein.

The invention provides an improved form of collapsible ladder structure defined by side members for each ladder section having spring-urged clip members which cooperate with slots in an adjoining ladder section to achieve locking between successive ladder sections. The clip members are readily accessible to the user in that the outer surface of each side member is largely open. The clip members are normally retained or urged in locking engagement by reason of the aforesaid spring means, and are readily released from such locking position through pivotal action. The locking device forming part of the invention is readily adapted to manufacturing and use and represents a positive approach to locking and unlocking various telescopically arranged sections of a collapsible ladder.

The invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view, in vertical section, showing the locking arrangement forming part of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly fragmentary, of the aforesaid locking arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, partly in horizontal section, showing further details of the locking arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation, partly fragmentary and partly broken away, showing a collapsible ladder in accordance with the invention; and,

FIG. 5 is a view in side elevation, looking from left to right in FIG. 4, showing other details of the invention.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications of the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

With reference now to the figures, and as stated, the invention represents an improvement over the type of collapsible ladder shown in the Vernon L. Neal US. Pat. No. 3,451,506, granted June 24, 1969. In this connection, and with reference to FIG. 4, the collapsible ladder includes multiple independent sections, defined by a base section 12, an adjoining upper section 14, another upper section 16 adjoining upper section 14, and other upper sections (not shown), all in a telescopic arrangement. Base section 12 is defined by side members 12a and 12b, a rung member 12c interconnecting therewith, and feet 12d, typically made from rubber or other non-skid material. Each upper section also includes side members, identified by a and b," and an interconnecting rung member, identified by c," so designated for uniformity of presentation.

The side members 14a and 14b of upper section 14, as in the instance of the side members of all sections, are oblong in horizontal section, having an inner wall 14d, an outer wall Me, a front wall 14f and a rear wall 14g. The outer wall Me is partly opened, from bottom to top, to permit access to the locking arrangement forming part of the invention.

In this connection, and'referring again to all of the figures, a pin l9.is provided between the front wall and rear wall of each of the side members, where a pivotal clip member 22 is supported thereon. Lateral positioning of each clip member 22 may be accomplished through the use of sleeve members 24 (see FIG. 3), where only one of the latter is shown in FIG. 2 for drawing clarification.

The clip members 22 are each defined by an angled portion 22a for hand control, a portion 22b which, when in locking engagement, is parallel with the inner surface of the inner wall of each side member, and another angled portion 22c which is adapted to be received in an opening or slot 12c in an adjoining ladder section, such as section 12, for example. The clip member 22 is typically retained in an operative or locking position through spring means or clip 26, where the latter may be secured in position by rivets 260.

In use, the illustrated ladder sections 12, 14 and 16 are collapsed with respect to each other by the pivotal movement of the clip members 22, so that the angled portions 220 of the latter are not within the openings or slots defined in the cooperating adjoining ladder sections. In this condition, the ladder is readily collapsed for transporting, such as in the trunk of an automobile. As should be evident from FIGS. 2 and 3, the clip members 22 are easily reached and operated by reason of the openings in the outer walls of the side members.

When it is desired to erect the ladder for use, the ladder sections 12, 14 and 16 are telescopically pulled apart, each clip member 22 being urged into its respective slot in the cooperating ladder section. The clip members are each retained in a locking position by reason of the spring means 26.

It should be evident, therefore, that the invention provides positive action and, as well, simplicity in use. While a spring clip 26 is disclosed, an alternative embodiment might include a compression spring and, instead of using sleeve members 24, each pin 19 could be turned at its opposite ends into engagement with the inner wall of each side member to provide the proper positioning of use. The invention is also susceptible to changes in proportioning or the like, and thus, the above description should be considered illustrative, and not as limiting the scope of the following claims:

We claim:

1. In a collapsible ladder having at least one section telescopically arranged with respect to a second section, said first section having side members each including a front wall and a rear wall, a clip member pivotally mounted on said first section on a pin extending between said front wall and said back wall thereof, an opening in said second section, said clip member having a locking portion and said opening in said second section adapted to receive said locking portion of said clip member, and spring means urging said locking portion of said clip member into said opening in said second section.

2. The arrangement of claim 1 where spacer means are disposed on said pin to position said clip member.

3. The arrangement of claim 1 where said ladder sections are defined by side members and interconnecting rung members, where said side members are each defined by an inner wall, a front wall, a back wall, and an outer wall, and where said outer wall is partly opened to provide access to said clip member.

4. In a collapsible ladder having at least one section telescopically arranged with respect to a second section, a clip member pivotally mounted on said first section, an opening in said second section, said clip member having a locking portion and said opening in said second section adapted to receive said locking portion of said clip member, and spring means urging said locking portion of said clip member into said opening in said second section, said ladder sections being defined by side members and interconnecting rung members, and said side members including an inner wall, a front wall, a back wall, and an outer wall, and said outer wall being partly opened to provide access to said clip member. 

1. In a collapsible ladder having at least one section telescopically arranged with respect to a second section, said first section having side members each including a front wall and a rear wall, a clip member pivotally mounted on said first section on a pin extending between said front wall and said back wall thereof, an opening in said second section, said clip member having a locking portion and said opening in said second section adapted to receive said locking portion of said clip member, and spring means urging said locking portion of said clip member into said opening in said second section.
 2. The arrangement of claim 1 where spacer means are disposed on said pin to position said clip member.
 3. The arrangement of claim 1 where said ladder sections are defined by side members and interconnecting rung members, where said side members are each defined by an inner wall, a front wall, a back wall, and an outer wall, and where said outer wall is partly opened to provide access to said clip member.
 4. In a collapsible ladder having at least one section telescopically arranged with respect to a second section, a clip member pivotally mounted on said first section, an opening in said second section, said clip member having a locking portion and said opening in said second section adapted to receive said locking portion of said clip member, and spring means urging said locking portion of said clip member into said opening in said second section, said ladder sections being defined by side members and interconnecting rung members, and said side members including an inner wall, a front wall, a back wall, and an outer wall, and said outer wall being partly opened to provide access to said clip member. 